3.8211 reviewsPrice
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
3 campsites
Season
May 8 - October 1
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
3 campsites
Season
May 8 - October 1
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Learn more about alerts →Whitefish Lake Rustic Campgd & Timber-Frear Area
Whitefish Lake Rustic Campground, Superior National Forest, Minnesota
Canoeists who want the Boundary Waters feel without the BWCA permit grind. Summer nights here deliver loon calls at dawn and full Milky Way views, and the portage network gives you eleven single-party backcountry sites to yourself if you paddle in.
Flush toilets, drinking water, or hookups are on your list. There's a vault toilet near the parking area and nothing else, so bring your own water treatment and toiletries or you'll be unprepared from the first morning.
Reference information about Whitefish Lake Rustic Campgd & Timber-Frear Area sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Whitefish Lake Rustic Campground and the Timber-Frear Area includes a 3 site rustic campground and 11 backcountry campsites scattered on 5 lakes. These lakes, along with four others, are interconnected with portages to form an excellent canoe route and camping experience outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. There is no boat launch for trailered boats at Whitefish Lake, carry down access only.</p><p>Four additional rustic campgrounds, on <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110909&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003705&navid=110130000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&recid=36959&actid=29&ttype=recarea&pname=Superior%20National%20Forest%20-%20Toohey%20Lake%20Rustic%20Campground">Toohey</a>, <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110909&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110130000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&recid=41668&actid=29&ttype=recarea&pname=Superior National Forest - Fourmile Lake Area">Fourmile</a>, <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTn0AjAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEADoWIdk!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110909&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=null&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=null&position=null&recid=36965&ttype=recarea&name=Wilson Lake Area&pname=Superior National Forest - Wilson Lake Area">Wilson</a>, and <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAHcGOlk!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110909&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=null&recid=37179&actid=29&ttype=recarea&pname=Superior National Forest-Windy Lake Area">Windy</a> Lakes are nearby.</p><p>For a map of Whitefish Lake Rustic Campground and the Timber-Frear Area and more information in a printable format, <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5302431.pdf">click here.</a></p>
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Summer brings the best conditions for paddling and camping, with daytime highs between 65 and 75°F and nights dropping into the mid-40s to low-50s. The water is open and clear. Bugs are present but manageable with repellent, especially at dusk. Crowds stay light compared to BWCA destinations. Spring and fall are options, but expect colder nights and potentially icy conditions at the edges of the season.
Summer is best for paddling, open water, and comfortable temps; campground open through summer.
Whitefish Lake Rustic Campground offers a minimalistic camping experience aimed at preserving the natural environment. The campground consists of three rustic campsites equipped with basic amenities and 11 backcountry campsites scattered across interconnected lakes. Carry-down boat access is available, but there are no facilities for trailered boats. Campers must pack out all garbage, including fish remains, as there is no garbage pickup service. Campers are advised to treat lake water before use, and there are noise restrictions from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
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